tarantula 的詞源

1782年，“在意大利流行的农民舞”，一种为一对情侣设计的快速旋转舞；更早期指“以极强的舞蹈冲动为特征的歇斯底里疾病”（1630年代）。它在15世纪至17世纪的阿普利亚及南意大利邻近地区流行，被普遍认为是（或被认为是治疗）狼蛛咬伤的疗法。

然而，这很可能是民间词源学，舞蹈和蜘蛛的名称更可能源自南意大利城市Taranto的名称（参见tarantula）。这个词在1833年被英语使用，指伴随农民舞的音乐风格；通常为6/8拍，伴有旋转三连音和突出的大小调变换。相关词：Tarantism。被舞蹈咬伤的人是tarantati（阴性tarantate）。

Those who were bitten generally fell into a state of melancholy, and appeared to be stupified, and scarcely in possession of their senses. This condition was, in many cases, united with so great a sensibility to music, that at the very first tones of their favourite melodies, they sprang up, shouting for joy, and danced on without intermission, until they sank to the ground exhausted and almost lifeless. [Babington's translation of J.F.C. Hecker, "The Epidemics of the Middle Ages," London, 1859]

被咬的人通常会陷入忧郁状态，似乎神志恍惚，几乎失去理智。这种状态在许多情况下与对音乐的极大敏感性相结合，以至于在他们最喜欢的旋律的第一声音符响起时，他们会欢呼雀跃，跳起舞来，直到精疲力竭，几乎失去意识，倒在地上。[Babington's translation of J.F.C. Hecker, "The Epidemics of the Middle Ages," London, 1859]